34 Ways to Keep the Kids Entertained at Home

Amp up the fun with these educational, kid-friendly and virtual activities from some favourite Toronto attractions — all in the comfort of your home.

If you’re looking for creative ways to keep the young ones (and yourself) from going a little stir crazy while at home, Toronto’s museums, amusement parks and amazing attractions have pulled out all the virtual stops to keep the family entertained.

1. Let them explore the city through games and brain teasers at Yo Toronto.

8. Pop some popcorn, sit back, learn and be wildly entertained.

Until June 15, the Ontario Science Centre in partnership with Giant Screen Films and D3D Cinema, brings you and the kids some much-needed educational cinema. As an added bonus, each film comes with a downloadable educational guide.

Have a little ballet enthusiast in your clan? Between living room pirouettes and at-home tutu fashion shows, take them through Google Arts & Culture’s beautiful interpretations of the children’s classic, The Nutcracker, as expressed by different international artists.

10. Twirl through live classes from the National Ballet of Canada.

Maybe your kids always wanted to try ballet or maybe they’ve already perfected their pointes. Regardless, the National Ballet of Canada is now offering live classes. And with enough practice, you and the family can finally re-enact The Nutcracker.

11. Spend an afternoon with the hockey legends of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

12. Challenge your kids to a hockey-themed trivia night.

Nowadays, it’s easy to get creative with game night thanks to online tools at our disposal. Access the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Time Capsule to playfully hone your children’s hockey knowledge.

13. Take a seat on the tallest, scariest roller coaster at Canada’s Wonderland.

Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto’s go-to theme-park for adrenaline junkies, filmed an ultra-realistic video of their newest and wildest coaster: Yukon Striker. Adjust to full-screen, press play and get ready for some screaming.

14. Enjoy the rest of Canada’s Wonderland (maybe from a less frightening vantage point).

They’ve seen the Shark Cam and the fish feed, but now your kids want more! Engage their insatiable, curious minds with live events including piranha feedings, Marine Biologist Q & A’s and quirky experiments.

Conversation hits a lull? Wow even the smartest child with fascinating, scientific facts; like what happens when the CN Tower gets hit by lightning.

21. Show them what the city looks like from 1,464 ft. (446 m.) up high.

After you’ve piqued their interest with your CN Tower knowledge, show them how high Canada’s tallest freestanding structure really is with the CN Tower Earth Cam.

22. Paint the town red, blue, pink and all colours of the rainbow.

Hmm, what would Union Station look like if it were purple? Let your children’s imaginations run wild as they creatively reimagine the streets of Toronto with these colouring pages, courtesy of the CN Tower.

23. Colour the day away with Bata Shoe Museum’s colouring sheets.

All kids love to colour. And if you’re lucky enough to have an at-home printer, print off these fun shoe-themed colouring stencils. Share your creations with #BSM.

24. Learn all about men in heels through this virtual Bata Shoe Museum tour.

27. Travel back through time to Toronto’s most historical site, Fort York.

Brush the family up on Canadian history with an online archive of Toronto’s Fort York. See the original site of Canada’s war of 1812, watch intriguing videos detailing the times and scour historical essays.

28. Plan a contemporary art day with inspiration from The Power Plant.

Get comfy with the kids and explore yet another beautifully curated Toronto museum, from the comfort of your couch with #MuseumWithoutWalls. This extensive collection features historical artefacts from Muslim civilizations.

Do your kids love slaying imaginary dragons or being princess of the land? Rock their make-believe worlds with a virtual stroll through Canada’s only castle built in 1914.

32. Continue to virtually tour with online exhibits as far as your fingers can click.

You and the family won’t run out of virtual entertainment any time soon. The Toronto Public Library makes sure of that with their extensive database of archival images and historical offerings.

33. Tune into the beautiful sounds of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Social distancing hasn’t stopped Toronto’s passionate musicians from performing. For the little music aficionados in your clan, take a moment to appreciate Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s moving #SongOfComfort as they all play from their individual homes.

34. Take a family improv class with Second City.

Set up your own comedy club in the living room and bring out the funny in you and the kids. The Second City now offers FamilyProv, as well as online improv camps for kids and teens.